Ordovician Bryozoans (Chasmatopora) - Estonia

This is plate of Upper Ordovician, Bryozoan fossils primarily of the species Chasmatopora papillosa (Bekker, 1921). They come from the Viivikonna Formation in Northeastern Estonia. The bryozoa have a white preservation that contrasts well against the lighter brown shale. It comes with an acrylic display stand.

Bryozoans are microscopic aquatic invertebrates that live in colonies, forming skeletal structures similar to corals. Each skeletal structure has a form unique to each particular species. The individual byrozoans forming these colonies are filter feeders called zooids, straining nutrients from the surrounding water.